Vehicle door lock repair device



y 1956 R. A. THORNELL 2,745,690

VEHICLE DOOR LOCK REPAIR DEVICE Filed June 16, 1955 Fig. Z

5 Fig. 4

11 Fig. 5 Ill ll Ralph A. Thoma/l l6 INVENTOR.

BY 4M FMOQS United States Patent 6 VEHICLE DOOR LOCK REPAIR DEVECE Ralph A. Thornell, Washington, InrL, assignor of onefifth to Robert 0. Chambers, Washington, Ind.

Application June 16, 1955, Serial No. 515,854 1 Claim. (Cl. 292-1) The present invention relates generally to vehicle door locks of the type comprising a pivoted, vertically swinging bolt mounted in the door and engageable in a strike on the pillar or jamb of the vehicle, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for eliminating looseness or play caused by wear in the bolt.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a repair device of the aforementioned character which is adapted to be expeditiously installed without the necessity of structurally altering the door or the lock.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a lock repair device of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, durable, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a vehicle door equipped with a repair device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation thereof, showing the bolt in cross-section;

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device; and

Figure 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 6 designates generally a portion of a conventional vehicle door having a vertical slot 7 in the free end 8 thereof. A pivoted lock bolt 9 is operable in the slot 7, said bolt including the usual roller 10 on its free or outer end portion.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises an elongated plate 11 of suitable metal which is mounted vertically on the end 8 of the door 6 over the slot 7. Toward this end, the plate 11 is provided in its end portions with openings 12 which are formed to accommodate the usual countersunk screws 13 which secure the lock casing 14 in position in the door 6.

The plate 11 is provided in one of its longitudinal marginal side portions with an elongated, substantially C-shaped notch or recess 15 which is in communication with the slot 7 and in which the bolt 9 is operable. Formed integrally with the outer face of the plate 11 and flush with the longitudinal side wall of the recess 15 is a wear strip or rib 16 for engagement with the bolt 9.

It is thought that the operation or use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the bolt 9 becomes worn and loose, the screws 13 are removed and utilized to secure the plate 11 in position on the end 8 of the door 6. The construction and arrangement is such that when the plate 11 is so mounted, the inner longitudinal wall of the recess 15 and the bar 16 lie closely adjacent the bolt 9, there being just enough space for the free operation of said bolt. In this manner, lateral play of the worn bolt is completely eliminated.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination, a vehicle door comprising a free end having a vertical slot therein, a lock mounted in the door and including a casing mounted interiorly on said free end thereof, said lock further including a vertically swingable bolt operable in the slot, a vertically elongated plate mounted exteriorly on said free end of the door over the slot and having a vertically elongated recess therein communicating with said slot and accommodating the bolt, screws securing the casing and the plate in position on the door with said free end thereof in between, and a longitudinal wear strip integral with the plate, said wear strip and plate being cooperable with one of the longitudinal walls of the slot for retaining the bolt against lateral movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 964,789 Kozlowski July 19, 1910 1,143,610 Carr June 22, 1915 1,664,681 Hancock Apr. 3, 1928 

